Fiji stays away from issue

THE government will not interfere with West Papua's call to join the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG).

This has been confirmed by Defence Minister Joketani Cokanasiga who said he would leave the matter to the Indonesian Government to deal with.

"Our policy is never to interfere with other people's internal affairs," he said.

"I believe there is a delegation from MSG going up to see West Papua — we maintain our very strong stand that if any thing should happen, it should emanate from Indonesia rather than us going outside and getting them."

The Indonesian Government confirmed it will deal with the issue because it claims West Papua is part of its sovereignty.

Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Lieutenant General Langgeng Sulistiyono said they would tackle the call by West Papua to join the MSG.

"With regards to the issue of West Papua — it is part of our issue, so we have to tackle it by ourself because it is part of our sovereignty," he said.